Women's World Cup Semi-Final Lights Up the Pitch!
This victory advances India to the final for the first time since 2017.
On November 2, they will face South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Each team aims for its inaugural World Cup championship. It will be a contest of determination. However, first, we should explore that semi-final thoroughly. It felt like a film – packed with surprises and a joyful conclusion for India.
The Build-Up: Why This Match Mattered So Much
Cricket fans know Australia has ruled women's ODIs for years. They won the last World Cup in 2022 and had a streak of 15 wins in a row. India, playing at home, had to break that. The pressure was on. India topped their group but had some close calls. They beat New Zealand and had a no-result against Bangladesh at this venue. Australia, the defending champs, looked unbeatable after smashing big scores all tournament.
The toss went to Australia. Captain Alyssa Healy picked batting first. The pitch in Navi Mumbai was flat and true – good for runs. Weather was clear, no rain worries. Over 25,000 fans packed the stands, waving blue flags and cheering loud. It felt like a festival. Players from both sides wore black armbands to honor Ben Stokes' coach, who passed away recently. That added a touch of respect to the day.
For India, captain Harmanpreet Kaur said in the pre-match chat, "We're ready to chase history." Jemimah Rodrigues, who had a tough year before, added, "This is for the fans who believed in us." Australia’s Healy replied, "We love knockouts – it's do or die." Everyone knew this could change the tournament.
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Australia's Innings: A Power-Packed Start Turns into a High Total
Australia came out swinging. Openers Phoebe Litchfield and Alyssa Healy set the tone. Litchfield, just 21, played like a star. She smashed boundaries with ease, using the width of the field. Healy, the keeper-batsman, joined in with quick singles and lofted drives. By the 10th over, they had 80 runs without losing a wicket. The Indian fielders chased hard, but the ball raced away.
India's bowlers fought back. Renuka Singh Thakur, with her swing, got the first break. She bowled Healy for 45 with a yorker that cleaned up the stumps. Score: 102 for 1. Then came Beth Mooney, solid as ever. She and Litchfield added 50 more. Litchfield reached her fifty with a flick to fine leg. She was timing everything perfectly.
At drinks, Australia was 150 for 1 in 20 overs. India needed wickets fast. Enter Deepti Sharma, the off-spinner. She tricked Litchfield into a lofted shot, caught at mid-off for 119. What a knock! Litchfield's hundred was her first in a World Cup semi. Applause all around. Now, Ellyse Perry joined Mooney. Perry, the all-round queen, hit straight drives that screamed power. Mooney fell soon after, stumped off Deepti for 52.
Perry and Ash Gardner built a quick 80-run stand. Gardner, with her aggressive style, smashed two sixes over long-on. She scored 63 off 50 balls, full of fire. Perry got to 77 before Shree Charani, India's left-arm spinner, got her with a low full toss, lbw. Charani finished with 2 for 49 – her best in the tournament.
Late drama came when Deepti struck again. She got Alana King and Sophie Molineux in consecutive balls – hat-trick chance missed! Then, Kim Garth ran out for 17. Australia ended at 338 all out in 49.5 overs. It was their highest score in a World Cup semi. Deepti took 2 for 73, but the total looked massive. India had work to do.
This innings showed Australia's depth. From young guns like Litchfield to vets like Perry, they have it all. But India's bowlers kept them under 350, which mattered later.
India's Chase: From Early Wobbles to a Record-Breaking Finish
Chasing 339? That's huge. The highest in women's ODIs before this was 331. India needed calm heads. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma started okay. Mandhana, elegant as always, drove through covers for fours. Verma, the dasher, pulled short balls with ease. They added 80 in 15 overs. Run rate at 5.3 – on track.
But trouble struck. Kim Garth bowled Verma for 32, edging to Healy. Score: 82 for 1. Then, Mandhana, on 45, chipped one to mid-wicket off Garth. 102 for 2. Pressure on. In came Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues. The crowd held its breath.
Harmanpreet steadied things. She rotated strike, picked gaps, and hit the odd boundary. Jemimah, dropped last year from the squad, looked hungry. She played late cuts and sweeps with flair. The duo added 167 runs – the game's turning point. Harmanpreet reached 50, then 89 before Gardner caught her at deep mid-wicket. 269 for 3 in 42 overs. Still needed 70 off 48 balls.
Enter Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma. Ghosh smashed a six off McGrath to ease nerves. Deepti, fresh from bowling, hit boundaries too. But Jemimah was the boss. She reached her fifty, then her hundred – first by an Indian in a World Cup semi. Her 127 not out off 134 balls had eight fours and two sixes. Pure class.
Last over: 8 needed. Deepti fell, but Amanjot Kaur finished with a four. India won by 5 wickets with 9 balls left. 341 for 5. Roars everywhere! Jemimah got Player of the Match. Harmanpreet said, "Proud of the fight." Healy admitted, "We didn't execute."
This chase broke records. First 300-plus in a World Cup knockout. It ended Australia's 16-match unbeaten streak in semis. India now dreams big.
Key Players Who Shone Bright
Let's talk stars. Jemimah Rodrigues: From benchwarmer to hero. Dropped last year, she trained hard. Her knock had poise and power. "I asked for help when down," she said post-match. Inspiring!
Harmanpreet Kaur: Captain cool. Her 89 was gritty. She built partnerships, led from front. Deepti Sharma: All-round magic. Two wickets, then 20 quick runs. Renuka Singh: Early swing got Healy.
For Australia, Litchfield's 119 was special. First WC hundred in a semi. Perry's 77 kept them going. Gardner's 63 added punch. But fielding slips hurt them – dropped Jemimah early.
These players show women's cricket's talent pool. Young and old mixing it up.
What This Means for the Tournament
This semi changed everything. First final without Australia or England since 1973. New winner coming! India gets home edge – DY Patil loves them. They won here against NZ and now Aus. South Africa beat England by 125 runs in the first semi. Laura Wolvaardt scored 100, Marizanne Kapp took 4 wickets.
South Africa chases history too. Three semi losses before (2000, 2017, 2022). Now, final bound. Wolvaardt leads with 470 runs this tournament. Kapp has 12 wickets. Tazmin Brits and Chloe Tryon add fire.
India vs South Africa: Group stage, SA won by 3 wickets. Revenge time? Key battles: Mandhana vs Kapp's seam. Jemimah vs Nonkululeko Mlaba's spin. Deepti vs Wolvaardt.
Pitch favors batsmen, but spinners may grip later. Weather fine. Crowd: 30,000 expected. It's maiden title fight.
Final Preview: India vs South Africa – Who Will Lift the Trophy?
Tomorrow, November 2, 3 PM local time. DY Patil Stadium. India, two-time runners-up (2005 to Aus, 2017 to Eng), wants gold. Lost 2005 by 98 runs, 2017 by 9. Harmanpreet knows pressure.
South Africa: First final. Beat Eng big – 319 for 6 to 194 all out. Wolvaardt's ton bossed it. Kapp's bowling crushed. They have depth: Nadine de Klerk, Tryon for middle overs.
Predictions? India home favorites. But SA fearless. Top run scorers: Mandhana 389 for India, Wolvaardt 470 for SA. Wickets: Deepti 17, Kapp 12.
Key matchups:
Battle 1: Openers' Duel
Smriti Mandhana vs Ayabonga Khaka. Mandhana's silks vs Khaka's bounce. Who starts faster?
Battle 2: Middle-Order Fire
Harmanpreet vs Marizanne Kapp. Captain vs all-rounder. Kapp's swing could trouble.
Battle 3: Spin Kings
Deepti Sharma vs Chloe Tryon. Turn and guile. Who controls the middle?
Experts say India edges it, but finals surprise. Score prediction: India 280, SA 260. Or chase like semi?
Tickets selling fast. Watch live on Star Sports or app.
Why Women's Cricket is the Future – And How You Can Join In
This World Cup proves it: Women's game is booming. Bigger crowds, better skills, equal pay talks. India hosting helped – venues like DY Patil felt electric. Jemimah's story: Bounce back stronger. Fans messaging support even in losses.
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This tournament inspired girls to pick bats. More leagues, stars rising. Can't wait for next edition

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